Animals & biodiversity

Humans have a nasty habit of displacing or exterminating any organism that doesn't provide an obvious short term benefit. We now know that biodiversity is the key to a healthy, functional and resilient ecosystem.

By including and encouraging a diverse range of plants, animals and insects we produce systems that are naturally harmonious and balanced and therefore require less human management and are less susceptible to climatic fluctuation and pest invasion.

Animals are a vital component of any natural system and it would be impossible to exclude them entirely. Larger animals, while not without their benefits, require a fair amount of care and attention. In addition the bigger they are the more space and food they require and generally have a bigger impact on their surrounding environment. Since we are currently establishing a large number of young trees this excludes us from any of the larger animals at this time.


Greenfinch eating brassica seed

Greenfinch eating brassica seed

Date   December 29, 2014
Bellbird on red hot poker plant

Bellbird on red hot poker plant

Details   Bellbirds love nectar and can often be seen clinging to these flowers dotted about our garden.
Date   November 08, 2013
Native pigeon - kereru

Native pigeon - kereru

There are a number of these attractive and clumsy birds that frequent our orchard. They seem to enjoy feasting on the buds and blossoms of the plum trees in particular. In this case he perched in the top of a young almond tree.
It's clear that (like humans) the native birds are happy to eat whatever is available and tastes good. We find the kereru love tagasaste flower buds and cherry plums. As our forest garden matures and the amount of flowers and fruit increases, so does the bird population. Who would have thought.
August 24, 2013
Little brown frog

Little brown frog

Often heard, never seen, this little creature has been chirping away quite frequently since our wetland has matured.
I was surprised and excited to discover it hiding in the pile of bricks.
March 01, 2013
  frog 
Rota and Mowa the kunekune pigs

Rota and Mowa the kunekune pigs

Ready to move to the next level of small scale, high intensity land management, it's pig time.
We picked up a deal with some guy giving away these 6 month old kunekune girls.
Very friendly, seemingly live on grass and hopefully turns the ground for planting.
October 25, 2012
  pig  kunekune 
Ducks!

Ducks!

Keeping things interesting with 3 Muscovy ducks. Perfect addition to the food forest, the ducks trim the grass, mingle with the chickens and feed the fruit trees with their manure. They also appreciate the swales, especially after rain.
June 28, 2012
Bellbird in the snow

Bellbird in the snow

It's a fine day after the first snow f the year and birds are out in the orchard getting into the last of the fruit.
June 08, 2012
Kingfisher sits in the old plum tree

Kingfisher sits in the old plum tree

We see this character about from time to time, sitting high on the power wires or one of the trees in the orchard.
May 28, 2012
Wood pigeon

Wood pigeon

These birds can be seen in the orchard throughout the year feasting on blossoms and plums.
August 07, 2011
The pheasant

The pheasant

For some time we have 'enjoyed' the company of a roving pheasant. Undoubtedly a majestic bird, he spends most of his time in the garden. While not as destructive as a regular chook his presence is frustratingly obvious. Eating off the brussel sprouts, nibbling a cucumber and generally upsetting the progress of the garden.
March 04, 2011
  pheasant 
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